Make a difference at riverside clean-up

You can make a difference to the health of the Swan Canning Riverpark by joining the Clean Our Rivers event from 29 January to 4 February.

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) volunteers and community manager Jason Menzies said anyone who had enjoyed a visit to the riverpark was encouraged to get involved.

“People can gather their friends and take part in the riverside rubbish clean-up,” Mr Menzies said.

“It’s a great way to make an important difference to the health of the rivers by preventing rubbish and discarded fishing waste making its way into the river system.

“The event is now in its third year, and we are hoping the turnout this year will be the best we’ve seen.”

Mr Menzies said DBCA removed several tonnes of rubbish such as plastics, shopping trolleys, whitegoods and fishing waste from the Swan and Canning rivers and foreshore areas each year.

The department’s Reel it in fishing line bin project, which provides dedicated bins for discarded tackle and bait bags at popular fishing sites, is also helping reduce fishing waste entering the rivers.

“Reel it in bins are already having a big impact. Over the last four years the community has helped us prevent more than 50km of fishing line and thousands of hooks, sinkers and bait bags getting into the water and seriously impacting native wildlife,” he said.

“These excellent results have been achieved by delivering the project in partnership with 20 community and government groups including Keep Australia Beautiful WA.

“The Clean Our Rivers event will help raise further awareness of the importance of keeping the river environment clean and healthy.”

To be a part of Clean Our Rivers, just participate in a clean-up at a favourite riverside spot between Monday 29 January and Sunday 4 February 2018.

Share your before and after photos to the River Guardians Facebook page facebook.com/RiverGuardians, Instagram page www.instagram.com/riverguardians or email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..